Gun found in student's locker at CNE middle school

A 13-year-old Clermont Northeastern Middle School student is facing criminal charges after a gun is found in his locker.

A tip that the teen might have drugs prompted the Oct. 9 locker search which led to the discovery of the unloaded .22 caliber revolver in the student's backpack, according to the Clermont County Sheriff's Office.

The school resource officer took possession of the gun and contacted the sheriff's criminal investigative unit.

The student told detectives that he removed the gun from his father's room and put it in his backpack without his father's knowledge, according to police. He did not plan to use the gun nor did he have ammunition. He forgot the weapon was in his bag, police said.

The teen is charged with one count of illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone, a fifth-degree felony. The student was transported to Clermont County Juvenile Detention.

No threats were made to anyone nor was the gun displayed, according to police.

The safety of the staff and students on the CNE campus is a priority for the sheriff's office, Sheriff Robert Leahy said.

"We will continue to encourage students to report any issue that jeopardizes the safety of students on the campus," he said.